All things related to my kayaking experiences and interests, and everything else life throws at me.

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Suwannee River: Wilderness Trail

Near the border of Suwannee River State Park, SandyBottom reported that "We've paddled 63 miles today including the Big Shoal portage.""We didn't see any alligators on the St Marys, but here on the Suwannee we've been seeing lots of them everywhere. Hard to take a good photo, though, because they are so fast. And in the same places as the gators, we see swinging ropes hung for the kids to use to swing out over the water, so the people here must be swimming with the gators."

SOS and SandyBottom reported that by the end of the day they had found a comfortable maintainable paddling pace. They said this pace, when combined with the downstream current, allowed them to move forward at 5 kts.

In the early parts of the day, they had their ups and downs. The 40 mile portage and sleep deprivation took a lot out of them. They stopped for a nap at 2:00pm. And in the heat of the day they nodded off while paddling occasionally. They also took some turns sleeping on the sole of the moving boat.

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Near the border of Suwannee River State Park, SandyBottom sent this text message at 8:49pm Wednesday March 21:

"Pouring pouring pouring rain. We are soaked, but now in tent and camped for night. Did I mention pouring? We paddled 63 miles today including Big Shoal portage and 1.5 hr nap this afternoon. We are now eating dinner will sleep and hope rain gone by 3-4 am, to get back on the water. We are hoping to be in Cedar Key Saturday. We'll know more when we see how we do tomorrow. Looks like on-and-off rain showers for a couple days."

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About SandyBottom

A senior with 2 kids grown and flown, married to Paul 30 years, a recently retired medical researcher, and was a sometime adventurer. Now, its ALL about the adventure. I was born and raised in Hawaii, and have a love of the outdoors, camping, the beach, and the ocean. I started paddling with white water in 1981 when I met my husband. My first real sea kayaking experience was actually on a sit-on-top in Kailua Bay on the Island of Oahu in 1987 while we were visiting family. Two children and years later, a chance opportunity to try sea kayaking again in 1996 resulted in a love and passion that provides me with fun, excitement, relaxation and/or exercise, and most of all, adventure. I’ve not stopped since.